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Girardi pleased with A-Rod's play at third, plate

Girardi pleased with A-Rod's play at third, plate

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By Bryan Hoch
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MLB.com |

BOSTON -- The Yankees cleared a locker for Mark Reynolds this weekend at Fenway Park, but the fact that they may not ask the corner infielder to play much third base can be considered a reflection of how well Alex Rodriguez has been handling the position.

All but two of Rodriguez's 11 starts since returning from the disabled list have come at third base, including Saturday's game, and manager Joe Girardi said that he has been pleased at how much Rodriguez has been able to play the field.

"I've kept in contact with him," Girardi said. "I didn't ask him today, but I felt that he was OK and he usually texts me if he thinks he needs a DH day. I think he talked a little bit about being fresh because he doesn't have a lot of games under his belt, and we need him to stay that way. I'll continue to talk to him."

Rodriguez entered play on Saturday batting .300 (12-for-40) with two doubles, a home run and four RBIs, and he said he'll probably need a little more time to feel comfortable.

"It's not there yet, but I think little by little it's getting there," Rodriguez said. "It's going to take me about 50 or 60 at-bats, there's no question about it, but I just want to make sure that I do the best I can to help the team win."

Girardi said that he has already seen enough to know Rodriguez can help this lineup.

"We've seen him drive the ball," Girardi said. "We've seen him hit hard line drives. The bat speed is definitely there."

Bryan Hoch is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @bryanhoch and read his MLBlog, Bombers Beat. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.